When
the words “house concert” are mentioned, one might think of a party thrown by
high school kids (without permission) while homeowners are gone for the
weekend. A sketchy rockfest, with neighbors complaining, and the Five-0 showing
up to lay down the law, to the wild and noisy.

There’s
a calmer type of house concert happening locally, law-enforcement free, and not
so risky—a storytelling party. These are low-key and usually targeted to teens
and adults. It’s not just for mean girls and hot guys—everyone is welcome and
invited. The concerts are relaxed with refreshments after, organized by Story
Crossroads, people who do events that have no awkward, exclusive or destructive
end.

Story
Crossroads brings professional storytellers to Utah each year for performances
and events. In addition to larger festivals, the group arranges a monthly house
concert fundraising series to offer arts year round and to bolster funds to
bring storytellers to the stage. This ongoing series helps keep the Story
Crossroads Festival going strong, and it’s done at neighborhood homes all along
the Wasatch Front.

On
June 30, Cherie Davis brought a patriotic style of storytelling to West Jordan
for an evening of fundraising and entertaining. She recounted a true story of
Deborah Sampson, a woman who enlisted to fight in the Revolutionary War, as a
man. Davis has a talent for narrating and doing first-person dialogue. She
performed in the backyard of host-couple Lorna and Danny Young, who offered up
their outdoor terrace for two hours of relaxing entertainment.

The
Youngs’ backyard had chirping birds and evening sunlight through shade trees.
The distant crack of fireworks heard around the neighborhood was perfect
ambiance for Davis’s story of gunfire, pre-industry and duplicity. Bob Davis
accompanied with guitar, and Teresa Winkler on flute, added a time-hopping
melody to parts of the story. Audience member Julie Kemp complimented Davis
saying, “She did an excellent job. It was also educational. I liked having the
music added. That made a difference with the feeling of authenticity.”

Signing
up to host is an option for anyone interested in bringing storytelling to a
space. The website www.storycrossroads.com has information on hosting
guidelines, and a list of currently scheduled events. House concerts can
stretch from North Ogden to Payson.

Cherie Davis is proof that one doesn’t need a fancy costume or traditional theater to tell a captivating story. She came in modern clothing, yet transported her audience to a time when females had few opportunities—a place where war wounds were left to fester. She re-created an era that frowned on educating women, when yellow fever was not a dance but a death sentence.

Davis
got her start in 2000 saying, “At church, I told a Bible story. Someone told me
to join the Storytelling Guild.” She’s been reciting stories ever since. Davis has a gentle yet persuading voice, fitting to retell another woman’s story of endurance and tenacity. She also co-authored a book
(available on Amazon.com) called “Spooks and Saints,” a compilation of legendary Utah
ghost stories.

“House
concert donations help the artists with income to cover time and cost,” Organizer
Rachel Hedman said. Money is appreciated at the door for a donation, but it’s
not absolutely mandatory to see a house concert. There is no cap or minimum on
how much one can donate. Bring a pocket full of change or some serious
art-supporter cash.

Each
house concert is a unique adventure out. Come alone even, or bring that dicey
Tinder date. These events could be a great option to bring a parent or
grandparent. The next story is Saturday, Aug. 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. featuring
Paige Funk in West Jordan. Email storycrossroads@gmail.com to RSVP for a seat.

There
is a grassroots feel to the experience of hearing stories up close on a patio
or portico. It’s a detail storytellers and their audiences seem to love. Part
of the experience is to have an intimate setting—a teller standing at a
fireplace mantle or by the clubhouse pool. It can be simple or elaborate,
however a host chooses to set the atmosphere. Anyone can host without a
“Pinterest” home. It’s all about the company, the stories, the art, the fun and
keeping Story Crossroads Festival happening every pulchritudinous year in Utah.

Cherie
Davis’s stories easily move one to feel grateful for a modern independent
America, where a man, or woman, can choose to host a house concert or try their
hand at telling a far out gender rule-bending biography. When the story ends—the
audience returns to 2018, with a renewed appreciation for freedom and maybe the
urge to look up history, or a word like “pulchritudinous.”